President’s word onSh2 trillion mega project

By PATRICK BEJA

President Kibaki has brushed off criticism and concerns over a giant port, railway and refinery project launched with fanfare in Lamu district Friday.

He assured Kenyans there would be no State-led land grab connected with the project and that title deeds would soon be issued for plots in the coastal region.

"I have instructed the relevant Government ministries and agencies to ensure that concerns (over the project) are addressed as soon as possible," he said.

There have been fears that land in the area will be compulsorily acquired for the giant project without compensation.

Kibaki led his counterpart Salva Kiir of South Sudan and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in officially launching construction on the project.

The three unveiled a plaque to mark the start of work on the Lamu Port-South-Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor. They termed the economic and development corridor a dream project to address poverty in the three countries.

The Sh2 trillion ($25 billion) venture is being billed as one of the biggest ever attempted by an African nation.

"I have no doubt that this day will go down in history as one of the defining moments, when we made a major stride to connect our people to the many socio-economic opportunities that lie ahead," Kibaki said. 
The president added the project was unstoppable, saying that conservationists and others speaking up against it had come forward too late.

"There has been some people trying to ask Lamu residents to oppose this project but they have come too late because there is general acceptance of the project by the people," the president said. Kibaki added the project also had the support of Comesa, the East African Community, SADC, the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held under tight security at the port site at Magogoni, some ten kilometres from the UNESCO-listed Lamu Island. There were security patrols on the ground, by air and at sea throughout the day as the historic event was in progress. Officials of civil society groups opposed to the project were blocked by a contingent of police officers when they attempted to make their way to the venue. Those locked out included the Mombasa-based Muslims for Human Rights.

President Kiir said he had gone to Lamu to witness a great dream for the region come true, adding that South Sudan has suffered from lack of reliable transport infrastructure, which resulted in costly goods.

"The project will bring new ventures for people of the three countries and beyond. It will create economic opportunities and employment and enhance regional stability," he said.

Kiir used the occasion to condemn the recent bombing of oil installations in his country, saying it did not augur well for regional peace and stability. Sudan is believed to have been behind the attack.

"We should condemn the act in the strongest terms possible because it does not augur well for peace and stability," he said.

PM Zenawi said Ethiopia was committed to the full implementation of the Lapsset project.

"This ambitious project will enhance regional integration and serve as a symbol of brotherhood," he said. "Ethiopia is committed to ensuring the project comes to full fruition."

Kibaki, who was flanked by PM Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, urged Kenyans and potential investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities possible under the project. He said the transport corridor would help the region’s economy by providing landlocked countries with a direct and dependable route to the sea. This will link South Sudan, Ethiopia and the entire East and Central African region to international markets.

"This project is expected to pay a critical role in enhancing the economic livelihood of over 167 million people in our region," Kibaki said. "Moreover, through the use of labour intensive methods, Lapsset projects will generate massive employment opportunities for our people."

The president said the Government would speed up the issuance of title deeds in Lamu and the entire Coast province.

"I urge Lamu residents and Kenyans at large to support this project because nobody will grab their land," he said. He added that the Government was aware of concerns on land, environment, cultural heritage and fishing grounds and would address the issues.

"The rights of Lamu people, like the rights of all other Kenyans, are enshrined in the Constitution and are, therefore inalienable. I, therefore, take this opportunity to assure the people of all areas where the Lapsset corridor will pass through, that the Government will address their issues," he said.

Friday, Lamu leaders commended the President for directing that 1,000 youth from Lamu be trained to take up job opportunities in the port and transport corridor project. Lamu East MP Abu Chiaba and his Lamu West counterpart Mr Fahim Twaha said residents were happy with the move.

"We are also happy with the presidential directive that a technical institute be constructed in Lamu as part of the project to ensure training of local people," Twaha said. However, Chiaba said the issue of title deeds should be given priority as residents feared losing land.

The president assured residents the Government would ensure those affected are fully compensated in accordance with the law. He said local communities would benefit from water, electricity, roads and new schools.

Raila said allayed fears that the project was costly and could turn out to be a white elephant saying critics had said the same thing about the construction of the Mombasa-Uganda railway over a century ago.

"The world is watching Africa with great expectation. Lapsset is a viable project because even those who called the Uganda railway the ‘Lunatic Line’ were all proved wrong," Raila said. He added that major economic developments would follow after the Lapsset project is kicked off with the construction of the first three of the 32 planned berths.

Kalonzo said Lapsset was set to fight poverty in the country and serve as a legacy for the Kibaki government.

"Never again will Africa be referred to as a dark continent," he said.

Transport minister Amos Kimunya said the project was the single biggest project in Africa and would spur industrial growth and business and also ensure transfer of technology. He said it was conceived 40 years ago but implementation had been delayed. Lapsset comprises a seaport, airport, railway, super-highway, oil pipeline, resort city and a refinery. Lamu will be connected to Ethiopia and oil-rich South Sudan by a, a railway and a pipeline to export Juba's crude. The project is expected to get funding from regional financial institutions, governments and international lenders, with China believed to have a major stake.